This survey (n=30) of psychedelic researchers identifies key research gaps in psychedelic harm and safety. It highlights the need to define types of harm, their predictors, and effective treatments. It also calls for better post-psychedelic support, including online resources, peer support, therapy, and psychiatric care. The authors advocate for increased funding, suggesting that psychedelic investors and companies allocate 1% of their investments to safety measures.
Abstract of On Minimizing Risk and Harm in the Use of Psychedelic
“Objective This article outlines recommendations from 30 psychedelic researchers on how to create a better psychedelic safety net.
Methods A survey of 30 psychedelic researchers asked them to identify key critical research gaps around psychedelic harm and safety.
Results The critical research gaps identified by the authors included defining the main types of psychedelic harm, the predictors of those harms, and the most effective way to treat those harms. They also call for better support for those experiencing post‐psychedelic difficulties, including better online information, peer support groups, affordable therapy, and psychiatric consultation and medication. Finally, the authors call for better funding to create a psychedelic safety net, and suggest psychedelic philanthropists, investors and companies could commit 1% of their investment in psychedelics into supporting safety measures such as research and support services.
Conclusions The authors identify several practical steps to create a better psychedelic safety net and call for more funding to psychedelic safety measures such as research and support services.
Relevance to clinical practice The authors outline important gaps in our knowledge around the safety and risk profile of psychedelic medicines and identify practical steps forward for researchers and clinical practitioners to make this promising field safer.“
Authors: Jules Evans, Marc Aixalà, Brian T. Anderson, William Brennan, Rebecka Bremler, Joost J. Breeksema, Lisa Burback, Abigail E. Calder, Robin L. Carhart‐Harris, Katherine Cheung, Neşe Devenot, Ingmar Gorman, Jakub Greń, Peter S. Hendricks, Brian Holoyda, Edward Jacobs, Joy Krecké, Daniel J. Kruger, David Luke, Tomislav Majić, Amy L. McGuire, Nicky J. Mehtani, David S. Mathai, Kristin Nash, Tehseen Noorani, Roman Palitsky, Oliver C. Robinson, Otto Simonsson, Elin Stahre, Michiel van Elk & David B. Yaden
Summary of On Minimizing Risk and Harm in the Use of Psychedelic
Psychedelics, including substances such as psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, and DMT, have shown promise in promoting health and well-being. However, they are also associated with certain risks. Preliminary evidence indicates that a minority of users (approximately 9%) experience functional difficulties lasting beyond the acute effects of the substances. These challenges can persist for varying durations, from days to months or even years. While controlled clinical trials report lower incidences of adverse events, possibly due to stringent screening and controlled environments, serious adverse events can still occur. The authors note that some adverse events may go unreported, and larger-scale implementation could lead to higher rates of such events due to variations in treatment conditions and population diversity.
The article underscores that, like all effective drug treatments, psychedelics carry risks of adverse reactions. Although the potential for dependency and fatal outcomes is substantially lower for classic psychedelics compared to other psychotropic drugs, there are specific risks that need to be better understood and communicated. As the use of psychedelics increases and legal frameworks evolve, it becomes crucial to learn more about these risks, communicate them accurately, prevent them where possible, and support individuals who experience adverse effects.
Learning More About Harms
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On Minimizing Risk and Harm in the Use of Psychedelic
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.prcp.20240128
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Evans, J., Aixalà, M., Anderson, B. T., Brennan, W., Bremler, R., Breeksema, J. J., ... & Yaden, D. B. (2025). On Minimizing Risk and Harm in the Use of Psychedelics. Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice.